While Jed Mackay was attending UVU with a major in accounting, he wasn’t certain accounting was the right path for him. However, his advisor encouraged him to continue pursuing his degree with the confidence that accounting would open many new doors for him. Before graduating, a childhood friend mentioned UMC, Inc. and encouraged Mackay to apply. As luck would have it, an old acquaintance of Mackay’s was in his interview and could vouch for his character. He was quickly hired as the first project accountant in 2016.
Over time, Mackay’s dedication to detail and focus helped him succeed at UMC as the sole project accountant over the Utah, Colorado, and Idaho markets. As the company grew, he was offered a position in the estimating department, which he was reluctant to accept. But after a few more years, the opportunity arose again, and he seized the opportunity — it’s become the perfect fit! Mackay gets to use all the accounting skills he’s learned over the years while continuing to grow in his new role in the estimating department.
The estimating department is one of the most essential departments at UMC, Inc. Unlike the majority of the company, they aren’t digging trenches, installing pipes, or configuring HVAC vents every day. Instead, they work at the forefront of the projects by digging through plans, specifications, and quotes to sharpen their bid to the owner & GC. They do their best to make sure the project is not only profitable for UMC and the GC but also to ensure strong relationships are made so that UMC can continue to thrive and be the best in the industry. Estimating has become a role that Mackay’s education and attention to detail have helped him excel in. Now, he’s the lead estimator for our Colorado and potential future divisions.
Mackay’s work in the estimating department is directly tied to the growth of UMC. The strength of our bids depends on how well the estimating team does its job. Project bids come in quickly, so the team works hard to provide timely and accurate quotes. They must be meticulous in scanning through the drawings, coordinating with suppliers, communicating with the GC, and ensuring the accuracy of the data. It requires excellent dedication, focus, and teamwork. Each estimator’s bid is then reviewed by management to help affirm the bid is as accurate and competitive as possible.
In his role as the project accountant and now lead estimator, Mackay has been able to grow tremendously. It’s been an exciting challenge to immerse himself in the world of plumbing and HVAC, and he’s enjoyed learning the process of building our projects. But overall, what Mackay has loved most about working for UMC is the culture. He’s made great friends here, and over the years, as the company has grown, the people joining UMC have made it even better. He loves his role here and hopes to retire after a long career, helping UMC grow as an industry leader. It turns out that his advisor at UVU was right all along. His accounting degree did open some pretty big doors for him!
